Dan Henderson: UFC promoting 'circus acts'
Posted on November 9, 2012, 03:32 PM by Mike Drahota
In confirmation of some earlier oft-discussed plans, Dan Henderson is set to face Lyoto Machida at UFC 156, the Super Bowl Weekend card that is fast becoming a monster of an event. Appearing on last night's “MMA Uncensored Live” on Spike TV, Henderson discussed his next bout. While he has been very vocal recently in his opposition of Chael Sonnen's title shot at Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones, it appears he now has his own dangerous opponent to prepare for. While Hendo had put in a full camp in preparation to face Jones, his untimely injury left him with a road back towards a title shot. And at 42 years old, Hendo's cage appearances may start to become numbered. Perhaps this is why he has been so vocal about Sonnen's next fight, a fight that he gained despite being finished in two title fights at a lower weight class against Anderson Silva. Henderson was recently quoted :
"It is what it is. I called it how I saw it. I could have said that the UFC is promoting circus acts. You know, the man with the longest arms against MMA's biggest mouth? It is what it is. I don't think that the fans wanted to see that -- they don't view it as a real fight. I'll always have love for Chael. I'll definitely help him train if he needs or wants my help. Advice? I trained a whole training camp for Jones. I probably have a lot of game plan in there. But, Chael and I are just different fighters, as well."
Henderson usually remains reserved and calm in his media dealings, preferring to let his murderous right hand do most of the talking. It is quite interesting that Chael Sonnen, blasted with a TKO in his last bout, is fighting for the 205 lb. title over two men who were very recently set for title shots before the UFC 151 fiasco. Anyway, the plans are set for Jones, but the UFC hasn't officially confirmed the Henderson-Machida bout. If and when they do, UFC 156 will be a stacked and potentially massive card, featuring Frankie Edgar versus Jose Aldo for the 145 lb. strap and Rashad Evans versus Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in other action. Will Hendo claw back to that shot at the only belt that has evaded his extensive collection?
Comments
Will there be a Clay Guida dunk tank?
If Dan Hendo takes out his false teeth he could probably be the head clown of the show
I'm really getting tired of those fighters criticizing the UFC while working for it.
They don't actually work for the UFC. Technically speaking, they are independent contractors. They are paid for fights and that's all they are paid for. Lose enough fights and they don't re-new the contract. Fighters are not fired, by the promotion.
they do have the right to do to state their opinion
@colonel this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. When do you want them to talk bad about the UFC after they retire? OOO no they're going to leave the UFC for a low level then talk smack. Are you kidding me? the people employed by them are the only people that should be complaining. If the UFC wants to put on a few freak shows in the middle of establishing true contenders and putting on other great fights to pad their pockets go ahead! If you don't like it don't watch. Jones vs Chael will in no way effect your life Mr.colonel. Dan Henderson lost his shot at the title AKA more money fight. He's getting older and I actually have him to lose to Machida so now he'll never have another title fight which means he just lost a truck load of money because Chael talked alot and got picked for the fight.
Silva Of The Streets ???
"I trained a whole training camp for Jones. I probably have a lot of game plan in there. But, Chael and I are just different fighters"
But I thought Jones was scared of chael cause he wouldnt fight him with 3 days to train even though you guys were the exactly same style.
Hendo is absolutely right, all real mma fans know their is no way Chael will be able smother jon for 5 rounds. And will get destroyed by massive reach advantage on the feet. Chaels going to talk some shit, then Jon is going to shut him up. Then we can move on to some real competition, war Hendo!
Circus act is right!! Dana is making the ufc more and more like the WWE everday. I think Jones vs Sonnen was a sure shot for Dana, nothing to loose. First this fight is sure to get the ignorant kids to buy tickets and ppv.
If Sonnen somehow would manage to beat Jones Danas got a champ everybody loves to hate, and everytime he defended the title it would be big bucks. Just like when one of the "bad guys" had the belt in wrestling, everybody tuned in to see Hulk Hogan take it back.
Jones win would only be pne step on the way to becoming GOAT . That would be great for Dana, a young guy with a great winning streak. Silva is going to retire soon, Gsp hasn't got many fights left in him, at least not as champ, but Jones could be fighting for another 15 years. If Dana serves him the right fights, he could make him a new Fedor.
If Henderson would have gottten to fight Jones, he would have probably won. That would have been bad business. Jones would have been taken back to earth, his legacy soiled. And Dana would have stood there with a champ that max would have had 2 title defenses left in him. Or Dan would have probably retired once he got the belt. And that would put a big hole in Danas plans and wallet.
Jones has decimated fighters like Henderson. What on earth makes you think he would win? Sonnen probably has a better chance with his smothering style and that chance is an infintessimally small fraction above zero.
Experience
I hope by talking crap about people promoting themselves, dan is talking crap about people to promote himself.
To dismiss Chael as nothing but a trash-talker ignores the fact that while Dan took one round from Silva, Chael took 4-5.
And Jones as "the guy with the longest reach" ignores the fact that JJ is one or two steps away from being the most dominant LHW ever. And then Dan is guy who only has one punch.
So I hope he's also just talking trash. Otherwise, he sounds like a bitter old dude who's career is over. And I'm a fan, so I really hope that's not true.
You're a fan? Lol, homie, gtfo....
@btcstore...
Perhaps I could send you the money via Western Union, then I could post you the keys to my house and car, plus my bank card with the pin number too... is there anything else you would like to steal??
Hendo is the best.
This is a very bad match up for Hendo... He will get picked apart.
Not sure I have ever guessed against Hendo... Or am I wrong?
I would have loved to see Hendo versus Jones, better than Chael.
I just don't like to hear people complaining when this very company made them rich.
@silvaofthestreets dumbest name ever.
What people aren't realizing is that Chael didn't get the shot because he deserved it. He got it to save the ultimate fighter and that's it! That show is close to being cancelled
Not much to say other then that Dan is correct, so sad to see what has become of the UFC as they so desperately chase ratings and ppv sales while they hurt MMA's long term growth.